The Council notes the government's consultation into cuts of £200m from public health budgets within this financial year.

Medway's Health Profile for 2015 published by Public Health England shows that the health challenges in Medway are significantly worse than the national average for 13 out of 32 health indicators, including children in poverty, under 18 conceptions, smoking related deaths, homelessness and cancer mortality rates.

The Council believes that cuts to public health funding would risk the vital delivery of preventative care for its residents and undermines the NHS Forward View, which received cross-party support, in its assertion that the sustainability of the NHS will now depend on a radical upgrade in prevention and public health.

The Council therefore calls upon the Chief Executive to write to the Rt. Hon. Jeremy Hunt MP asking that the Government to:

reconsider this decision whilst highlighting the valuable contribution that local public health measures, such as the reducing obesity strategy, have made on tackling health inequalities and improving the health of the local population in Medway.

include consideration of the implications of all council decisions on public health as the NHS Forward View implies.

To view the list of councillors who voted in favour or against the motion, those who abstained and those who were absent, click on the appropriate heading.

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